Food products with a protein-related nutrition claim: a cross-sectional analysis in the Italian market

Products carrying protein-related claims have substantially grown in popularity in Italy, also due to the perception that protein-foods support weight management and improve physical performance. This study surveyed the Italian market of pre-packaged foods bearing protein claims. Product selection was conducted across major retailers, and the nutritional profile of the items was analysed considering the information reported in the food labelling. Snack bars (<i>n</i> = 100), yogurt (<i>n</i> = 68), and mousse (<i>n</i> = 43) were the main representatives among the 418 identified products. Heterogeneity of nutritional profiles was observed for all the items, particularly regarding the percentage of total energy provided by protein, ranging from median ∼16% in crackers to ∼70% in processed meat, with a co-occurrence of different other nutrition claims. Findings underline the wide availability, in the Italian market, of products with protein-related claims, yet not informative of their actual protein content. Continuous monitoring of this trend is warranted to assess its nutritional implications and to evaluate the overall impact of these products when incorporated into habitual dietary patterns.